Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Last year, there were in excess of 1,800 homes purchased through the tenant in situ scheme. Approximately 97 homes were purchased through the cost-rental tenants in situ scheme. We launched that on 1 April, which is just more than a year ago. Other bids have been accepted or acquired under that. We have just below 100 tenants who have been able to purchase their home through the first home scheme, which has been great for them because they had some finances to be able to purchase the place where they live. We are continuing the tenant in situ scheme, the cost-rental tenant in situ scheme and the first home tenant purchase scheme through the course of this year. We have set a target of 1,500 homes this year. We exceeded the target last year, which was originally 200 homes for acquisition, because we wanted to focus on building, which we are focusing on. We are building more and we are bringing these into stock. The acquisition target this year is 1,500 units. We have approximately 2,200 various claims and queries in at present.

There is much greater consistency in the approach with the local authorities. At the start, there were transboundary issues but I have not come across any of them recently. If anyone does, please let my Department know because we have our own unit in the Department looking at that. Former chief executive of Kildare County Council, Mr. Peter Carey, is doing a super job to co-ordinate that work. Issues such as a mother and father with two kids living in a four-bedroom home are not a barrier to purchasing the homes. It might mean that tenant may not stay there forever and goes to another appropriate home but we would look at purchasing it to secure the tenancy. It is fair to say that, at the start, we needed to ensure there was a consistent approach. It has improved greatly. The scheme is working well and it will certainly continue for the rest of this year.